Longtime Cardinals scout McAlister dies

Tuesday

The Cardinals said McAlister died Sunday after an undisclosed illness. He was 80.

McAlister was scouting director from 1980 through 1993. He was most recently a special assignment scout for the team.

McAlister had been part of the Cardinals organization since 1945, when he signed as an infielder. He played in the farm system through 1960, serving at various times as a player-coach or player-manager.

McAlister's drafts produced more than 70 players who played for the Cardinals and 17 players who reached the majors with other organizations. Among the Cardinals he chose were Vince Coleman, Danny Cox, Todd Worrell and Ray Lankford.

? ROYALS DEAL LEFTY: The Houston Astros acquired minor league pitcher Tyler Lumsden from the Kansas City Royals yesterday for a player to be named or cash.

The 25-year-old lefty went 3-13 with a 7.21 ERA in 28 games this season, including 18 starts, for Triple-A Omaha. He is playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League and is 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA in four games.

The two 20-year-old pitchers, neither of whom had picked up a baseball until earlier this year, signed free-agent contracts yesterday with the Pirates. They are believed to be the first athletes from India to sign professional baseball contracts outside their country.

Singh and Patel came to the United States six months ago after being the top finishers in an Indian reality TV show called the "Million Dollar Arm" that drew about 30,000 contestants. The show sought to find athletes who could throw strikes at 85 miles per hour or faster.

While neither pitcher threw hard enough to earn the $1 million prize, Singh made $100,000 from the contest and Patel made $2,500, plus his trip to the United States.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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